Monty and I grew up next door to each other in Chicago. I was six
months older than him. Over the years, we were as close as any brothers
could be. I last saw him the day he was shipping out for Nam. Gave
him a big hug and told him to keep his head down. His death shook me
strongly and I still miss him to this day.

Bob was a Jr., he was always known as Monty around the neighborhood.
Outside my home, I have a memorial flag pole with a marker with his name on
it. His younger brother lives in Wisconsin and we visit and communicate
often. so many of our generation never had the opportunity to fulfill
their dreams.

I think of the many things that
we could have shared growing old together. It was never to be.
Rest in peace my old friend.

I didn't know Robert personally but I remember the night he was killed. It
was the first action I would see in Viet Nam. I saw the track in front of mine
and the track behind us both blow up. Since my track had to go over the
second mine, it had to be set off by command. I told myself that night I could
stop worrying, with ten months left in country there was no way I could survive.
I was very lucky.